Braam begins a new chapter
December 7, 2001

Braam Van Straaten begins a new chapter of his career when he makes his debut for Leeds Tykes against Harlequins this Sunday at Headingley.

"I was offered a very good contract by the Springboks with no performance clause. I did think about it but I was determined to come here. I appreciate that my international days are probably over as a result, but I am not a person who goes back on my word and I also wanted to spend more time with my family, which I will be able to with Leeds," said the former Western Province back.

"I am not a one-man cavalry - this is a team game. I don't know a lot about the Premiership, and most of the players will know more about me than I do about them. This is a new challenge, and I have to succeed to justify my decision to come here. I am very proud of what I do. If a little bit of that can rub off, we can really do well," added the 30-year-old.

Leeds: 15 Jon Benson 14 Dan Scarbrough 13 Jamie Mayer 12 Braam van Straaten 11 Craig Emmerson 10 Steve Bachop 9 John O'Reilly 1 Mike Shelley (c) 2 Mark Luffman 3 Gavin Kerr 4 Chris Murphy 5 Tom Palmer 6 Dan Hyde 7 Cameron Mather 8 Isaac Feaunati

Replacements: 16 Justin Wring 17 Rob Rawlinson 18 Eddie Jones 19 Carl Hogg 20 Chris Kendra 21 Tristan Davies 22 Shaun Woof

Harlequins have happy memories of Headingley, having won here earlier in the year in the European Shield semi-final, but they have been struggling lately losing against Sale last weekend.

The past three results have also been disappointing to Leeds, giving away far too much ball in all three games and paying the price.

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